Modulation of Mrps12/Sarsm promoter activity in response to mitochondrial stress.

Transcription from the bidirectional promoter of two mouse genes encoding components of the mitochondrial translational apparatus, mitoribosomal protein S12 (Mrps12) and mitochondrial seryl-tRNA ligase (Sarsm), was shown previously to be dependent upon an array of four CCAAT boxes, interacting with the transcription factor NF-Y. Here we report that the homologous human promoter is governed by a CCAAT box array acting in an essentially similar manner. Analysis of the transcriptional response of both the human and mouse promoters to various mitochondrially acting toxins, including inhibitors of mitochondrial protein synthesis, and agents that bring about uncoupling or respiratory chain inhibition, produced either of two distinct outcomes, depending on the cell type and the conditions used.